Mechanically Expandable/Collapsible and Electronically Secured Container

ABSTRACT

This invention describes a container that is easily collapsible and expandable mechanically according to the dimensions of the assets to be contained in it. Boxing a small asset into a large container proves very storage inefficient. It also contains an electromechanically controlled locker to prevent unauthorized access to the contained assets.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to supply-chain management systems in general,and in particular to design of an asset container that is mechanicallyexpandable and electronically secured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Boxing a small asset into a large container proves very storageinefficient. This inefficiency can be overcome, if dimensions of assetcontainers can be adjusted dynamically based on the dimensions of theassets they are to be filled with. In this invention, design of a newasset container is described. The new asset container is mechanicallyexpandable and collapsible. It also contains an electromechanicallycontrolled locker to prevent unauthorized access to the assets in it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the asset container in collapsed and fully expandedforms according to the invention

FIG. 2 shows the top and left side views of the expanded asset containeraccording to the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates step by step how the asset container is convertedfrom a collapsed form into a basis box

FIG. 4 illustrates step by step how the basis box is expandedhorizontally according to the invention

FIG. 5 illustrates step by step how the basis box or its horizontallyexpanded form can be further expanded vertically

FIG. 6 shows loaded asset container in various expansion levels

FIG. 7 illustrates that multiple collapsed asset containers can bestacked-up.

FIG. 8 denotes locking mechanism for the asset container according tothe invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

This invention describes design of an asset container that is able totake a space saving collapsed form 100 and easily convertible to a box110. Beams 113 between the top 112 and bottom 111 panels of the box 120provide structural support. The separation between beams should beshorter than dimensions of the smallest box that is to be stored in thecontainer 110. FIG. 1 illustrates two cases: one case 110 in which onlytwo beams are used on each side of the asset container for storage oflarge boxes and another case 120 in which four beams are used per sidein the asset container for storage of relatively small size boxes.

FIG. 2 shows the top view of the collapsed asset container 100, and alsoside view of the basis frame 110 when fully expanded. Also asillustrated in FIG. 2, each asset container has wheels 200 to easemovement. The beams 210 at their shortest are used to hold multiplecollapsed containers on top of each other tight preventing displacementsof the stacked collapsed containers.

The height and the width of the asset container can be adjustedaccording to the dimensions of the boxes to be stored. In FIG. 3, asingle collapsed asset container 100 is shown on its horizontalexpansion plane 301. By unfolding the main side beams 300, a first step304 towards a standing container is made. Once all the side beams 300are rectified, a second rectangular frame 320 can be pulled up. Thissecond frame 320 serves as the top of the asset. The top rectangularframe 320 has an inner frame 330 that serves as cover for the frame 320as illustrated in 308 in FIG. 3.

Both the main top rectangular frame 320 and its inner frame 330 and thebase frame 400 can be stretched outward on a two-dimensional plane intwo directions to increase the dimensions of the asset container asshown in 410 and 411 of FIG. 4. As a result, a wider asset container isobtained.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, it is also possible to enlarge the assetcontainer 120 further when essential to store taller boxes. The sidebeams can be stretched forth 502 and the top rectangular frame 320 canbe pulled up further to allow more space for bigger and taller boxes.This process is shown in 503 of FIG. 5. The base frame 400, the topframe 320 and the inner part 330 of the top frame are shown in 504 ofFIG. 5 after the expansion process is completed Expansion can beperformed on a need basis. Thus, it provides very high flexibility inadjusting the container dimensions and lowers underutilization of space.FIG. 6 illustrates that the asset container is filled with assets 600,601 603 and 604 incrementally until its full capacity is utilized.

Multiple collapsed asset containers 210 can be easily arranged in stacksfor space saving storage and carry as illustrated in FIG. 7. Each assetcontainer 120 also contains an electromechanical locker 800 that fastensthe inner frame 330 of the top rectangular frame to the body of mainrectangular frame 320 to prevent unauthorized opening of the container.Locking and unlocking can be controlled via a smart card 801. When theright card is swiped, authorization is granted and the locker unfastens.A traditional key based access would not be secure, because the key forthe asset container locker can be easily duplicated, whereas it is noteasy to duplicate smart cards. In another embodiment of the invention,an RF based switch can also be used for the asset container lockeroperations.

1. An asset container that is able to take a space saving collapsed formand easily expandable and resizable, comprising a basis box, an upperpanel, a lower panel, beams between the upper panel and the lower panel,rectangular frames.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the said beamsprovide means for structural support
 3. The system of claim 1, whereinspacing between the said beams is shorter than the dimensions of thesmallest asset to be contained in the container.
 4. The system of claim1, wherein at least two of the said beams are deployed on every side ofthe said container.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the said containerfurther comprises wheels, providing means for easy movement of the saidcontainer.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the said beams at theirshortest provide means for holding multiple collapsed said containersand means for preventing displacements of the said stacked containers.7. The system of claim 1, wherein the height and width of the saidcontainer can be adjusted according to the dimensions of the said assetsto be contained.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein after unfolding thesaid side beams, a said standing container is made.
 9. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the said basis-box is horizontally expandable.
 10. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein a rectangular frame is pulled up above thesaid beams, providing means to serve as the top of the said container.11. The system of claim 10, wherein the said top rectangular framecomprises an inner frame that provides means as a cover for the saidframe.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the said rectangular frame,the said inner frame and the said base frame can be stretched outward ona two dimensional plane in two directions, providing means forincreasing the dimensions of the said container.
 13. The system of claim1, wherein the said container further comprises an electromechanicallocker, providing means for security by fastening the said inner frameof the said upper rectangular frame to the body of the main rectangularframe.
 14. The system in claim 1, wherein locking and unlocking of thesaid electromechanical locker is controlled via a smart card.